You can't coach height! It helps if you are the tallest, widest
or largest athlete on the court or the field. Only 1% of the athletes
can make that claim. But, each and every team is filled with athletes
who are not the biggest, but they are the best. These athletes showcased
their personal strengths that made them better and earned them roster
spots and playing time on college teams.
· Be strong, be very strong. Strength is a good personal advantage to have on any team. Strength keeps athletes healthy and free from many injuries. It also acts as an obstacle to opposing players. The opposing team must plan a strategy, including double and triple teaming a player to help off-set their individual strength.
· Be skilled. Athletes who learn the finer skills associated with their position and sport are an absolute attribute to their team. Having a skillset that is superior to the 'big man' creates playing opportunities and scoring opportunities.
· Be fast, 'greased lightning' fast. Athletes who have the speed to separate themselves from the defense or close quickly on the offense are weapons that every coach wants. Speed is coachable. Speed training won't turn everybody into an Olympic gold medalist but every athlete can be faster.
· Be smart, be a student of the game. High game IQ is something coaches look for in prospective student athletes. An athlete who understands the nuances of the game takes on a stronger leadership role. Also, coaches have the ability to run more sophisticated offenses and defenses when a team has a high game IQ.
· Be positive and be a dynamo. Athletes who act as a lightning rod are a valuable part of any team. Even if the team is behind on the scoreboard, they must maintain a positive, electric attitude to keep the team sharp and be ready to turn things around.
If you are the athlete who is 5 foot nothing tall and 100 nothing pounds, there are still opportunities to play. But, it requires extra work to highlight your positive attributes. It's done all of the time and every team is filled with 'not the biggest, but the best'. Don't miss playing opportunities because you are not the biggest, create them because you are the best! Don't use lack of size as reason not to pursue your dream. Remember, you only have one chance to be recruited, don't waste it.
· Be strong, be very strong. Strength is a good personal advantage to have on any team. Strength keeps athletes healthy and free from many injuries. It also acts as an obstacle to opposing players. The opposing team must plan a strategy, including double and triple teaming a player to help off-set their individual strength.
· Be skilled. Athletes who learn the finer skills associated with their position and sport are an absolute attribute to their team. Having a skillset that is superior to the 'big man' creates playing opportunities and scoring opportunities.
· Be fast, 'greased lightning' fast. Athletes who have the speed to separate themselves from the defense or close quickly on the offense are weapons that every coach wants. Speed is coachable. Speed training won't turn everybody into an Olympic gold medalist but every athlete can be faster.
· Be smart, be a student of the game. High game IQ is something coaches look for in prospective student athletes. An athlete who understands the nuances of the game takes on a stronger leadership role. Also, coaches have the ability to run more sophisticated offenses and defenses when a team has a high game IQ.
· Be positive and be a dynamo. Athletes who act as a lightning rod are a valuable part of any team. Even if the team is behind on the scoreboard, they must maintain a positive, electric attitude to keep the team sharp and be ready to turn things around.
If you are the athlete who is 5 foot nothing tall and 100 nothing pounds, there are still opportunities to play. But, it requires extra work to highlight your positive attributes. It's done all of the time and every team is filled with 'not the biggest, but the best'. Don't miss playing opportunities because you are not the biggest, create them because you are the best! Don't use lack of size as reason not to pursue your dream. Remember, you only have one chance to be recruited, don't waste it.
